Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

Crystals are structures in which a pattern of atoms or molecules repeats in space. Now, two teams of researchers have figured out that crystals'
repeating patterns can also exist through time. These "time crystals," detailed in a
new paper in Physical Review Letter, are an entirely new kind of
matter, one that can never reach equilibrium.

To create the time crystals, researchers at University of Maryland hooked together 10 ytterbium atoms and hit them with two lasers multiple times to
keep them out of equilibrium. Though the atoms did settle into a pattern, they could not reach equilibrium, meaning that the crystals perpetually
remain in motion, though they don't contain any energy. Almost all of physics is based in studying matter that is at equilibrium, so the ability to
create these non-equilibrium crystals is a huge deal for the future of physics.
...

Crystals that repeat their patterns not only through space, but through time. As researcher Norman Yao explains it, these crystals are showing a new
phase of matter, and one of the first examples of non-equilibrium matter. Physics is catching up to
Quantum Physics.

This is interesting. It is a kind of perpetual motion at the molecular level. I wonder if there is any way to use this. Anything which generates
motion generates energy, even though it is exotic matter and at very small scales. I love this kind of thing!

If these things are really matter and are in a perpetual motion but not creating energy .....could they be creating a form of energy we can not
recognize or don't know that it exist ? Matter has mass and if its in motion it should have energy ..what am I missing here ? Is it mass-less matter
,a kind of dark matter ? I better stick with playing Rummy and Crib .

Despite being forbidden in equilibrium, spontaneous breaking of time translation symmetry can occur in periodically driven, Floquet systems with
discrete time-translation symmetry. The period of the resulting discrete time crystal is quantized to an integer multiple of the drive period, arising
from a combination of collective synchronization and many body localization. Here, we consider a simple model for a one-dimensional discrete time
crystal which explicitly reveals the rigidity of the emergent oscillations as the drive is varied. We numerically map out its phase diagram and
compute the properties of the dynamical phase transition where the time crystal melts into a trivial Floquet insulator. Moreover, we demonstrate that
the model can be realized with current experimental technologies and propose a blueprint based upon a one dimensional chain of trapped ions. Using
experimental parameters (featuring long-range interactions), we identify the phase boundaries of the ion-time-crystal and propose a measurable
signature of the symmetry breaking phase transition.

If i told this concept to my crystalstone healing exwife she would smile and say: Finally science catch up with what i have tried to explain all the
time.
But my son would say: If they mix this knowledge into a quantum computer with the new AI it will get a nonlocal consciousness and before we realize it
we have lost control.

My own take on this is not ready yet because of headache,
maybe i should use one the crystals on the shelf and put it on my head.

Despite being forbidden in equilibrium, spontaneous breaking of time translation symmetry can occur in periodically driven, Floquet systems with
discrete time-translation symmetry. The period of the resulting discrete time crystal is quantized to an integer multiple of the drive period, arising
from a combination of collective synchronization and many body localization. Here, we consider a simple model for a one-dimensional discrete time
crystal which explicitly reveals the rigidity of the emergent oscillations as the drive is varied. We numerically map out its phase diagram and
compute the properties of the dynamical phase transition where the time crystal melts into a trivial Floquet insulator. Moreover, we demonstrate that
the model can be realized with current experimental technologies and propose a blueprint based upon a one dimensional chain of trapped ions. Using
experimental parameters (featuring long-range interactions), we identify the phase boundaries of the ion-time-crystal and propose a measurable
signature of the symmetry breaking phase transition.

This content community relies on user-generated content from our member contributors. The opinions of our members are not those of site ownership who maintains strict editorial agnosticism and simply provides a collaborative venue for free expression.